Background and Objective: The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains has become a significant challenge in clinical treatment worldwide. Natural compounds, particularly essential oils, are being explored as potential alternatives to conventional antibiotics. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antibacterial activity of essential oils extracted from clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) against MDR bacteria.
Methods: Essential oils were obtained via hydro-distillation and tested against four clinically isolated MDR bacteria—Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis—as well as two standard ATCC strains. The agar well diffusion method was employed to assess antibacterial activity, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using two-fold serial dilution.
Results: Both clove and rosemary essential oils exhibited inhibitory effects against all test organisms. Clove oil demonstrated slightly stronger antibacterial activity compared to rosemary oil. The MIC for clove oil ranged from 0.312% to 1.25% (v/v), while that for rosemary oil ranged from 0.312% to 5% (v/v). Among the tested organisms, A. baumannii showed the highest sensitivity.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that clove and rosemary essential oils possess significant antibacterial properties and may serve as effective natural agents against MDR bacteria. Clove oil, in particular, exhibited greater potency and could be further investigated for therapeutic or preservative applications.
International Journal of Advanced Research in Medicine
